Culture

Easily grown in medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. Unlike other species of Coreopsis, C. rosea and its cultivars have very little drought tolerance and need consistently moist soils in order to thrive. Avoid poorly-drained heavy clay soils, however. Prompt deadheading of spent flower stalks can be tedious for a large planting, but does tend to encourage additional bloom and prevent any unwanted self-seeding. Plants may be sheared in late summer to promote a fall rebloom and to tidy the planting (stems often become matted as summer progresses). In optimum growing conditions, plants will spread in the garden by rhizomes and self-seeding to form a dense ground cover, sometimes to the point of being considered aggressive.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Coreopsis rosea, sometimes commonly called pink coreopsis or pink threadleaf coreopsis, is primarily native to wet sandy soils along water margins in coastal plain areas from Nova Scotia to Maryland. It is noted for being the only coreopsis with pink flowers. It closely resembles C. verticillata in appearance and habit, but lacks the latter's heat and drought tolerance. It is a rhizomatous perennial which typically grows in dense, bushy clumps to 1-2' tall. Features daisy-like flowers (1/2 to 1" diameter) with pink untoothed rays and yellow center disks. Flowers appear singly on short stalks in a profuse and lengthy summer bloom. Whorls of linear, grass-like, light green leaves lend a fine-textured and airy appearance to the plant.

The genus name comes from the Greek words koris meaning bug and opsis meaning like in reference to the shape of the seed which resembles a bug or tick.

Specific epithet means rose-colored.

Plants in the genus Coreopsis are sometimes commonly called tickseed in reference to the resemblance of the seeds to ticks.

‘Sweet Dreams is a naturally occurring mutation of C. rosea ‘American Dream’. It typically grows in dense, bushy clumps to 18” tall and 24” wide. Raspberry-white, bi-color, daisy-like flowers (1-1.5” diameter) cover the foliage mound in a profuse and lengthy summer bloom. Flowers feature rays that are raspberry at the base lightening to white at the toothed tips and yellow center disks. Whorls of linear, grass-like, dark green leaves lend a fine-textured and airy appearance to the plant. U.S. Plant Patent #12,720 issued June 25, 2002.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Can be an aggressive spreader. Crown rot may occur if grown in moist, poorly drained soils. Performs best in cool summer climates, and can appear rather scraggly with poor flowering in the hot and humid summer conditions of the deep South. Weak plant stems tend to sprawl and mat, particularly in hot and humid climates with periodic heavy summer rainfall.

Garden Uses

Long summer bloom and airy foliage provide good accent in borders or rock gardens. Good small area ground cover. Also effective as an edger for borders, foundations and walks/paths. Naturalized areas, native plant gardens or cottage gardens.